Red-light politics in my hometown

Back by popular demand for 2024, it’s the Q-and-A format.

Q: What Q-and-A format?

A: Exactly!

Q: Did you attend the Inverness City Council meeting Tuesday night?

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A: I attended virtually. Meaning…no.

Q: Explain yourself, bearded one.

A: I want to encourage more city political conversation in the blog this year. I can’t rely much on coverage from the newspaper, so the only way to get locked into the cities is to attend council meetings.

Q: Makes sense. What’s the problem?

A: That’s the last place to spend my Monday or Tuesday evenings. It’s no reflection on either city, just that I’ve never been a big fan of covering night meetings. I’m perfectly good with attending County Commission meetings, but I draw the line somewhere.

Q: And that explains why you watched Tuesday’s Inverness City Council on your phone rather than showing up in person?

A: Exactly.

Q: OK, so getting to the red-light camera issue. Your thoughts?

A: Both Sheriff Mike Prendergast and Altumint, the company giving the presentation, were so effective in explaining how dangerous our intersections are, I’m afraid to leave the house.

Q: Let’s talk about politics. What did the council members think?

A: Gene Davis and Linda Bega were big supporters. Crystal Lizanich and Cabot McBride, not so much. Jacquie Hepfer seemed on the supporter side too, but not emphatically.

Q: Why were Davis and Bega in support?

A: Safety. The presentation says red-light cameras can save lives. That resonates in pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly Inverness.

“I don’t want to wait until someone’s killed crossing the road,” Bega said.

Q: What about the others?

A: Lizanich said the data doesn’t support the success of red-light cameras. McBride questioned the accuracy of the information presented, including 700 red-light violations on a single day at Eden Drive and U.S. 41.

“I do want to increase safety. I just don’t think this is the way to do it,” Lizanich said. “One day’s worth of data doesn’t prove a lot to me.”


Q: Did anyone mention the state highway department report that shows more crashes at red-light camera intersections?

A: No.


Q: So, it looks that there’s majority support, correct?

A: Yes, but here’s where politics comes into play. Mayor Bob Plaisted is a hard no. He doesn’t get a vote, but he can veto ordinances. If this ends up in a final vote down the line, it’ll be by way of ordinance.

Q: Were there questions asked of the Sheriff?

A: Yes, quite a few.

Q: Did someone ask if he was going to need more money or staffing to oversee this program?

A: Yes, someone did.

Q: And…?

A: He had no answer. Once the program is up and running, that’s when he’ll know his cost.

Q: Generally, what do you think of that answer?

A: Generally, that’s how we get into big budget trouble. We used that same approach — “We’ll figure it out later” — for the COPS grant, and now the county doesn’t know where to find millions of dollars to hire deputies.

Q: Is it a flag that the sheriff had no red-light violation data to support this idea, no clue how much it’ll cost or whether he’ll have to hire more people to oversee it?

A: Big time.

Q: What’s the one question you wanted asked but no one asked?

A: What Florida counties or cities are contracted with this company for red-light cameras? What is the company’s experience with success in Florida?

Q: What’s the second question you wanted asked but no one asked?

A: How is the vendor paid? 


(The answer came from another question: The company receives $15,000/month per camera, off the top of the citation fines.) 

Q: What’s the third question you wanted asked but no one asked?

A: “Sheriff, if these red-light runner numbers are so horrible, what are you doing about it? Besides wanting to hire someone else to ticket people.”

Q: What’s the fourth question you wanted asked but no one asked?

A: Where did this vendor come from? Shouldn’t we bid it out?

Q: As an observer of local government, were you satisfied with the City Council’s discussion?

A: In general, yes. Those council members who believe this program will reduce crashes and make life safer should look at the experiences of Florida communities that have now or had red-light cameras. The reviews are less than stellar.

On the other hand, council members who don’t support red-light cameras should have other ideas to reduce intersection risks.

Q: Will you attend future City Council meetings online?

A: Absolutely! It’s the only way to go.

Have a great Wednesday, friends.

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